Joseph Walker McCorkle | |
|---|---|
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia'sat-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Gilbert |
| Succeeded by | James A. McDougall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1819-06-24)June 24, 1819 |
| Died | March 18, 1884(1884-03-18) (aged 59) |
| Resting place | Forest Hill Cemetery (Piqua, Ohio) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Kenyon College |
Joseph Walker McCorkle (June 24, 1819 – March 18, 1884) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a Californiacongressman from 1851 to 1853.
McCorkle was born inPiqua, Ohio on June 24, 1819.[1] He attendedKenyon College as a member of the class of 1839, but left before graduating.[2] Hestudied law and wasadmitted to the bar in 1842.[1] He moved toDayton, Ohio, where he established a law practice.[1] From 1845 to 1849, McCorkle also served as Dayton's postmaster.[1]
In 1849, McCorkle moved toSan Francisco,California at the start of the gold rush.[1] In 1850, he was an unsuccessful candidate for judge of California's Eighth Judicial District.[1]
Later in 1850, McCorkle obtained theDemocratic nomination for theCalifornia State Assembly.[1] He won the general election and served one term, 1850 to 1852.[1] In 1850, he was the Democratic nominee for Congress from California's 2nd District.[1] He was elected and served one term, 1851 to 1853.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1852.[1]
On June 1, 1853, he fought a duel withWilliam M. Gwin, a fellowDemocrat and one of California'sU.S. Senators, over the management of federal patronage.[3] Gwin and McCorkle fired rifles at each other inSan Mateo, California and came away unharmed.[3] A donkey in a field several hundred yards away was accidentally struck and died.[4]
After leaving Congress, McCorkle moved from San Francisco toMarysville, California where he returned to practicing law.[1] In 1853, he was appointed judge of the 9th Judicial District, and he served until 1857.[1] In 1855, he was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senator.[1]
In 1857, McCorkle returned to San Francisco where he resumed practicing law.[1] In 1860, just after the 1859 discovery of theComstock Lode, he moved to nearbyVirginia City, Nevada, where he practiced law until 1870.[1] He left Virginia City to practice law inWashington, D.C., where he specialized in cases before theAmerican-Mexican Claims Commission.[1]
In retirement, McCorkle resided in Branchville,College Park, Maryland.[1] He died in Branchville on March 18, 1884.[1] McCorkle was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Piqua, Ohio.[1] He was a lifelong bachelor and had no children.[5]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's at-large congressional district 1851-1853 | Succeeded by |
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